Sam Montembeault’s impressive 47-save shutout to kick off the 2024-25 season certainly caught attention.
However, for fans of the Montreal Canadiens, this isn’t new. They are familiar with his potential when the stakes are high.
After nearly three years in a rotation of goalies, Montembeault has finally secured the No. 1 goalie position in Montreal for the first time in his career. This was likely not the scenario the Canadiens anticipated when they claimed him off waivers from Florida in the 2021-22 season, where he had been sharing the goal with veteran AHL goalie Spencer Martin.
Montembeault was drafted 77th overall by Florida in 2015 and once seemed destined to become a future NHL starter. He enjoyed a successful run with the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand, serving as the team’s primary goalie for three years, which is uncommon for younger goalies. He was consistently one of the league’s best and even represented Canada as a third-string goalie at the 2016 World Juniors.
However, the transition to professional hockey was challenging. He made his NHL debut with the Panthers in 2018-19, playing intermittently mainly as an injury backup, but his performance was often below par, especially after the arrival of Spencer Knight.
Joining his hometown Canadiens has allowed Montembeault to establish himself. Some consider him one of the most underrated goalies as he entered this season. Last season, he recorded 18.58 goals saved above expected (GSAx), ranking 10th in the NHL, and placed 13th the previous season with 16.78 GSAx, proving to be consistently effective even while splitting time with Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau. Now, the crease is entirely his.
Although the current sample size is limited, he leads the league with 6.59 GSAx after three games this season. From what can be observed over the past few years, he appears more self-assured and assertive in the net—it’s his domain, and he no longer fears that a mistake will have him sidelined for an extended period.
In a recent game against Pittsburgh, the Canadiens were outclassed, with the defense struggling to support him.
Montembeault is beginning his first year of a three-year contract worth $3.15 million annually with the Canadiens, the highest-paying deal of his career, surpassing the $1 million average annual value he had previously held. If he continues to perform well, this could become one of the NHL’s best value contracts for a starting goalie.
The timing of his performance is fortuitous, as the NHL will host its inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off in February, featuring top-tier international competition for the first time since 2016. Unlike in 2014, when former Canadiens star Carey Price was the clear choice for Team Canada’s goaltender, there isn’t a standout candidate this time. Other potential contenders include Adin Hill, Jordan Binnington, and Stuart Skinner, all of whom have had significant NHL success in recent years.
Of these options, Montembeault’s 2023 performance was the most impressive, finishing with a 6-1-0 record, one shutout, and a .939 save percentage during the tournament, solidifying his status as one of the top goalies. Despite Canada being the favorite for gold, Montembeault played a crucial role in their success in Latvia.
Hockey Canada pays attention to such international commitment, especially since many star players opt-out of participating in the World Championships after a taxing NHL season. Montembeault showcased his abilities in front of key decision-makers, including GM Doug Armstrong, who will lead Canada in the 2026 Olympics while also managing the 4 Nations tournament.
In terms of GSAx, last year’s leading Canadian goalie was Binnington with 29.74, placing second overall behind Connor Hellebuyck. Montembeault was the next best Canadian. Skinner topped the charts at 18.4 in 2022-23, with Montembeault close behind at 13.28, showing remarkable consistency despite limited team support. While GSAx isn’t the only metric to assess goalie performance, it typically highlights the top players, and Montembeault has excelled in this area during his tenure in Quebec.
The NHL will announce the rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off between November 29 and December 2. Although the time is short to establish a leading position, there’s also a risk of missing the opportunity. Canada may not have a strong contingent of goalies this year, but they need someone who can perform when it counts, even for just over a week. Montembeault has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion, but he will face competition from others showing promise, including 2022 Stanley Cup champion Darcy Kuemper, who is also making a case for selection.
Canada’s goaltending may prove to be a weak point with superstars like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Cale Makar taking the spotlight. While there are promising young goalies coming up in the ranks, they won’t be ready before the 2030 Olympics.
However, Montembeault deserves consideration for at least the 4 Nations Face-Off, and if he maintains his performance, he could very well earn a spot on the team bound for Italy in 15 months.
